Free Worth the Risk by Karen Erickson

cared, not that she was looking to dig up information. He rarely spoke of his problem with Rhett to anyone, not even Alex. Alex knew how he felt, but they never really dealt with it.
    “He’s the baby, and everyone treats him like one. Alex works his ass off for Worth and he’s grown the company to what it is today. It would’ve crashed and burned without Alex taking over the reins so competently after my dad died.”
    “You were a big part of that too,” Gracie reminded him, her voice soft.
    He smiled fondly. “Yeah, I guess I was. But I couldn’t have done it without Alex. He’s the glue that keeps us, and Worth Luxury, together. Now, Rhett? He could give a shit about the business. He’d rather get drunk and get laid.” The bitterness was apparent in his voice even to Hunter’s ears.
    “He seems to be running his store well.”
    “Only because Alex threw him out of New York City, thinking it would be best to get him out of the limelight. He was causing too much trouble, and all the tabloids were starting to pay too much attention.” Since the move to California, Rhett had exhibited better behavior. Was it merely temporary, though? It always had been in the past. “I don’t know how much he really does out here. No one keeps tabs on him, and that’s just the way he likes it.”
    “Alex must trust that he’s doing a good job.”
    “Alex has a soft spot for Rhett. He always has. No matter what my baby brother does, Alex rushes forward and tries to fix it,” he said irritably.
    “Alex feels responsible for him,” Gracie said. “He’ll probably always feel that way.”
    Deciding to hell with it, he reached over and grabbed her hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re probably right. To me, he’s my irritating little brother who can’t get his shit together.”
    “And to Alex, he’s the brother he wishes he could fix and make it all better.” She smiled and squeezed his hand in return. “Don’t be so hard on him.”
    “Easy for you to say,” he muttered, but it was good-natured. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
    Slowly, she shook her head. “I was an only child.”
    “How about your parents? Where do they live?” She rarely revealed any sort of information in regards to her personal life. He’d revealed something he kept close so maybe she’d be willing to return the favor.
    She nibbled on her lower lip, looking decidedly uncomfortable. “Um, I’m not sure.”
    He frowned. “What do you mean?”
    “It’s a long story.”
    “We’ve got nothing but time.” He glanced out the window, saw they were stuck in typical Southern California traffic. A trip that should take no longer than twenty minutes could take forty-five if they were caught up in five o’clock traffic. “Spill, Gracie.”
    Hunter wanted to know, wanted to learn more about her life. Where she grew up, where she went to school, where she was from. He wanted to know it all.
    And she looked terrified to even utter a peep, which made him all the more curious.
     
    Fear rooted Gracie to the spot, made it hard for her to breathe. She didn’t talk about her family life to anyone. And it certainly wouldn’t be appropriate to share any of this with her boss. Hunter would think she was a freaking head case and worse, he’d tell Alex and then he’d think she was a head case as well.
    It was best to just leave well enough alone.
    “It’s a boring story.” Carefully she withdrew her hand from his, and she saw the disappointment flash in his eyes.
    “You’re anything but boring,” he murmured. “You don’t have to hide from me, Gracie. I won’t judge you.”
    She wished she could believe him. Everyone judged her, they always had. She hated to admit it, but she’d never felt closer to anyone else like she did to Hunter. Foolish, she knew this. What they shared was some hot sex and decent companionship, in bed or at work only. As soon as he found some other woman who was “feisty”, he’d leave her in the dust,